PhD scholarship: Development of new

PhD scholarship: Development of new (allosteric) ligands

Category: Academic Staff & Researchers

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike.

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located.

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again.

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

The Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Department Chemistry, is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant.

More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains:

Your work will focus on the development of new (allosteric) ligands that can bind to membrane-bound proteins/channels, and on subsequently testing their therapeutic potential.

• You will be responsible for the design and synthesis of bioactive, peptide-based ligands, including the synthesis of customised amino acids where necessary.
• You will take part in discussions on the design and optimisation of these molecules and contribute to their further development.
• You will be responsible for the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the therapeutic potential of the synthesised molecules.
• In addition to your research activities, you will also contribute to the supervision of Bachelor’s and Master’s students.

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base.

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

A Master’s degree in science, (bio)medical sciences or an equivalent course of study.

• Experience in experimental research.
• Publications in international peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences are an advantage.
• A good command of English, both spoken and written, is essential.
• Experience in supervising students.
• A dynamic and flexible approach to work, with the ability to work across two research groups and an eye for detail and accuracy.
• Excellent oral and written presentation and communication skills.
• You have not performed any works in the execution of a mandate as an assistant, paid from operating resources, over a total (cumulated) period of more than 12 months.
• As a (non-)EEA national, meet the conditions for obtaining a valid permit for VUB and comply with the VUB residence requirements. More info here .

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a full-time PhD-scholarship, for12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date01/01/2027.

You’ll receive a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.

IMPORTANT: The effective result of the doctorate scholarship is subject to the condition precedent of your enrolment as a doctorate student at the university.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave(based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike;
• A wide selection of meals